The best media streaming devices offer all the apps and content you could want – but what really makes them great when you sit down to watch? Our top pick, the Fire TV stick from Amazon, is filled with features that make your entertainment center better than ever. That includes 4k resolution streaming support, 8GB of storage for all the apps you can want, and a control alternative with Alexa Voice Remote.
Amazon is also on top of the latest protocols with support for things like Dolby Vision (an HDR-like dynamic A/V format), so you can get the best audio/video experience possible, with confidence that your media streamer can keep up with your other hardware. However, we know other buyers may be looking for something a little different, so we included a number of devices with different specialties: Check out the full list to learn more!
Top 5 Best Streaming Devices
#1 Amazon Fire TV Stick Streaming Device
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: It’s the best 4k streaming device we’ve found, and has compatibility for all the latest audio and video formats. Those interested in streaming quality above all else will love Amazon’s latest.
Read Full Review: Amazon Fire TV Stick Review
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- 4k streaming support
- Dolby Vision support
- Alexa voice compatibility
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- A lot of Amazon Prime ads
- Not compatible with Apple TV
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Amazon’s latest upgrade to the Fire TV Stick is packed full of top compatibility features – it works with 4k streaming, Dolby Vision, and all the apps you could want, including Sling, YouTube, and IMDB TV. The added range of streaming services with Sling TV and IMDB TV further helps this product stand out. There’s also 8GB of on board storage to pack those apps in. When it comes to image quality, the 4k resolution support is backed by support for HDR10 and HDR10 , ensuring some level of future proofing.
While there is a remote included with the stick, the device also has full compatibility with Alexa voice commands. You can instruct Alexa to find a show, play a favorite playlist, or open an app, all without touching a button. The voice assistant and voice recognition technology makes streaming media more convenient than ever so that you won’t have to flip through multiple channels anymore to find your favorite TV show or tune into the premiere for a new one. The Alexa compatibility extends to supported smart devices too, so you can dim the lights or adjust the thermostat with your voice as well. If you want the best for streaming movies and shows, this might be your pick.
#2 Roku Streaming Stick Streaming Device
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: A small stick with well-rounded features, this Roku streamer has extra range that’s great for lecture halls or classrooms, , and it comes with 4k support! Remote and voice control are both supported, with dedicated buttons for Netflix, Disney , and more.
Read Full Review: Roku Streaming Stic Review
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- Discrete headphone listening through app
- Excellent range for large areas
- Alexa compatibility
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- Roku’s platform is simple and not glitzy
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Roku has been in the streaming/cable world for many years now, and the company knows how to make a great streaming stick. Despite its small size, this streaming stick supports 4K resolution and HDR video quality to upgrade your streaming experience. Roku also mentions that it has 4x the range of older devices, making it a great choice for auditoriums, outdoor movies, and other spacious areas.
We also like the private listening function, which allows you to connect headphones to a mobile device with the Roku app on it, and listen to TV audio through that device while you watch – an ideal solution if you need to keep the TV speakers quiet for whatever reason. Just stick your wired headphones into the headphone jack on your device or connect your wireless earphones and then you’re ready for more private streaming content. There’s also Alexa compatibility if you like giving voice commands. All you have to do is just say the words for the virtual assistant, then you’re already ready to stream TV or watch a movie on Disney Plus, Netflix, etc. To fully upgrade your at home TV experience, grab some of the best subwoofers too.
#3 Google Chromecast 3rd Gen![Best Streaming Device in [year] ([month] Reviews)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAMPDwwAAACwAAAAAAQABAAACAkQBADs= "Best Streaming Device in [year] ([month] Reviews) 5")
![Best Streaming Device in [year] ([month] Reviews)](https://www.gadgetreview.dev/wp-content/uploads/chomecast-3rd-gen-1.jpg "Best Streaming Device in [year] ([month] Reviews) 5")
Award: BEST BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: The 3rd generation Chromecast is easier to use than ever, the best option for quickly installing apps and getting to the good stuff. It also supports Google Assistant voice commands for those who have a preference!
Read Full Review: Google Chromecast 3rd Gen Review
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- Best for Google Home
- Super fast setup & screen mirroring
- Great streaming device for YouTube TV
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- No 4k support
- May struggle with surround sound
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Chromecast has always been particularly easy to use, and the 3rd generation Chromecast fully leans into the “plug and play” model. As long as your TV has an HDMI port, you can set up the Chromecast in minutes. Google’s interface for the streamer is also minimalistic and gets you to your shows or movies at top speed. The device supports up to 1080p resolution and 60fps. The streaming device’s performance through your soundbar or sound system on your home entertainment system isn’t a completely immersive audio experience, but it still conveniently gets the job done with streaming media without breaking the bank.
The great affordability also makes this Chromecast a great choice if you want to equip multiple TVs throughout a home or business with streaming and/or screen mirroring capabilities all at the same time. There’s also Google Assistant support, so if you’re more familiar with that than Alexa this could be a better pick for you. Being compatible with Google smart home devices like Google Home will only further transform your life at home. The user interface that Google sets up for consumers is so easy to navigate, making the user experience for this product stand out. Also if you’re after 4K HDR streaming capabilities, be sure to check out the Chromecast Ultra. If you want to get into your own streaming, you’ll definitely also want the best streaming microphone.
#4 TiVo Bolt OTA Streaming Device
Award: BEST CABLE REPLACEMENT
WHY WE LIKE IT: TiVo’s excellent box does it all, from live TV and saving episodes to supporting ultra high definition shows on apps like Netflix. If you want a great live TV streaming device, this is the one for you.
Read Full Review: TiVo Bolt OTA Streaming Device Review
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- Offers both streaming and live TV
- Easy DVRing and commercial skip
- Supports 4k streaming movies
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- Requires monthly subscription to work
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You may remember the TiVo name from the DVR days, but now the company has expanded into streaming devices and the Bolt OTA is one of its best offerings. TiVo approaches the streaming world a little differently: Apps like Netflix and Hulu are fully supported, but TiVo also supports live TV viewing and its traditional DVRing, all in one package. Classic TiVo capabilities like skipping ads easily are, of course, included.
The device also supports Alexa voice compatibility, and includes an app for mobile viewing or easier settings management if necessary. However, keep in mind that you need a monthly subscription to TiVo for this device to work, in addition to your streaming service fees. With this device’s wireless capabilities, you’ll be putting your best aux cable to the side for good.
#5 Apple TV 4K
We’re sorry, this product is temporarily out of stock
Award: BEST MULTI-SCREEN PERFORMANCE
WHY WE LIKE IT: Apple TV latest model comes with remarkable performance and the best storage out of all our picks. From gaming to syncing with iOS devices, it’s a powerhouse for anything you need.
Read Full Review: Apple TV 4K Review
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- 4K and surround sound support
- Effortless switching between devices
- Great support for Apple Arcade
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- Works best if you have other Apple devices
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While Apple lives to keep everything “in house” as much as possible, we were pleased to see that the latest Apple TV still offers easy connections to multiple apps, including Netflix, iTunes, Hulu, ESPN, and anything else you could want. It also supports 4k, Dolby Vision, 7.1 Dolby surround sound, and HDR10. Thanks to Apple’s tight ecosystem, it’s also effortless to switch streaming around from iPhone to iPad to TV as you need it. The easy compatibility between Apple products makes this a better choice for established Apple users than many other streaming devices. The familiarity of the classic user interface used throughout Apple operating systems makes using Apple TV a simple task for long-time Apple fans. Even if you’re new to the cord cutter life, most can easily learn how to navigate Apple TV’s user interface to watch their favorite shows, access the App Store, boot up a game system, etc.
We also love the large 32GB storage (64GB also available). Remember, in 2019 Apple launched its Arcade full of games, and the storage capacity allows you to turn it into a gaming app machine if you prefer. This gaming friendly device can connect to a Bluetooth enabled device like a PS4 or XBox game controller. If you want to organize the chords around your TV, you may want to also grab some of the best cable ties.
How We Decided
To really drill down and find out what makes a streaming box great, we looked past the apps they offer (which are largely the same no matter what device you get) and toward usability. With so many smart TVs present, it’s important for a streaming device to offer easier control and better service than you can get from the TV itself. Our top picks have rich, helpful interfaces and great remote control options, plus voice commands when possible.
Content quality is important too! The best and latest streamers offer support for 4k resolutions (if your streaming services have that kind of content and your internet bandwidth can keep up), as well as compatibility with HDR and the more advanced HDR10 , which allow for improved video quality. Poor visual picture quality can be very distracting during your streaming experience, so decent quality is a must for many consumers. Speaking of compatibility, we also looked for devices that work with common audio protocols like Dolby and DTS, particularly newer versions like Dolby Vision. After all, a good audio system that projects better sound overall can further transform your watching and streaming sessions and make the experience of your entertainment system more immersive.
Then we took a look at how streaming devices that could solve certain problems or provide additional features beyond content. Some of our picks are especially great for saving and watching live TV, even without a cable subscription. Others are perfect for gamers who already have all the content they want but need a way to stream it out to their fans. Extra capabilities like these are especially valuable when buying for a specific purpose!
Best Streaming Device Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Pricing and Fees
The good news is that most streaming devices are affordable, although you should still look at overall costs (buying an Apple TV, for example, is a very different prospect than purchasing a Chromecast). However, you should also check to see if there are any ongoing fees for the services you want. In many cases, this isn’t a problem, because your fees will be paid directly to the streaming services themselves – one monthly fee for Netflix, one monthly fee for Hulu, etc. However, it doesn’t always work out that way. One notable exception is TiVo, which requires a separate TiVo subscription to use anything else in the platform. Other devices like the Fire TV can be used without subscriptions, but are more designed to benefit from a particular subscription (in this case, Amazon Prime Video). - Compatibility with Other Devices
Compatibility is especially important when it comes to your display and your speakers. Generally, displays shouldn’t be an issue as every modern TV comes with HDMI. However, if you have an old TV or a display without HDMI, you should make sure the device has the right connections (or get an adapter, although this will decrease quality). Speakers are trickier. There are a lot of audio codecs out there, and not all streaming devices work well with all of them. Look in the “supported audio” sections of device specifications and try to make sure that your audio protocols are supported. Older speakers will have a tougher time dealing with streaming devices. Smart speakers, in contrast, are overall more compatible devices with streaming players and will have an easier time playing supported content. - Unique Capabilities
Streaming devices try to separate themselves by offering unique types of content, which is a great way to pick a device if you don’t care about anything else. While streaming apps are generally the same from device to device, these unique features can vary considerably. Chromecast is one of the only streamers that offers Google Assistant voice commands. Amazon’s Fire Stick platform makes it easier to watch Amazon Prime content. Roku’s app allows for separated listening via mobile devices so you can keep the TV volume low…and so on. Pay attention to these extras to see which fit well with your needs. - Control
This is a more minor point, but remember to take a look at control options for the streaming device you are considering. Do you like the remote? What about the form factor of the included remote? Is it the right size? Over time, remotes have become slimmer, but sometimes a tiny device can be too small for some. Do the buttons make sense to you, or will you have a lot of learning to do? Is the search function easy to use or is there an alternative function for faster performance? Does the device have an app you can use for controls instead if you prefer that?
